Rugby Union: Humiliated Welsh committee walk out: Furious clubs' no confidence vote leaves WRU secretary in untenable position

IN A paroxysm of anger at the perceived mismanagement of their national game, the member clubs of the Welsh Rugby Union yesterday passed a vote of no- confidence in their committee by an overwhelming margin.

The committee responded by walking out en bloc from yesterday's special general meeting at Port Talbot, effectively resigning and leaving the affairs of the union in the hands of its two trustees, the dramatically re- elected honorary treasurer and its paid officers until annual committee elections take place next month, followed by the annual meeting in June.

The clubs' astoundingly decisive action represented an expression of powerful support for the former treasurer, Glanmor Griffiths, whose campaign against the WRU's full-time secretary, Denis Evans, and the secretive, unaccountable way the union is run has been at the heart of an acrimonious and protracted debate.

Evans's position is virtually untenable, firstly because it was clear that he, rather than the committee at large, was the real target, and secondly because the SGM had a sting in its tail when it comfortably re-elected Griffiths as treasurer.

Griffiths now intends, in his official capacity, to pursue serious allegations of impropriety against Evans, charges that relate to the WRU's financial affairs as well as the secretary's personal conduct. 'The problem I have had with the secretary was his aggressive and abusive manner and it is for him to decide whether he is prepared to work with me,' Griffiths, 57, a former banker, said.

A show of hands by representatives of the WRU's 220 clubs and affiliated organisations had shown a majority of around 4 to 1. The WRU trustees, president Graham Tregidon and Hermas Evans, then conducted the rest of the meeting and now have to see to tomorrow's Swalec Cup semi-final draw and a scheduled disciplinary committee meeting.

Bolstered by his overwhelming mandate, Griffiths intends pursuing the union for pounds 20,000 in legal fees incurred while the union has been fighting him in the High Court. There is one action, concerning the return of documents, outstanding.

The scale of the defeat - and therefore Griffiths's victory - surpassed the wildest imaginings. 'It's obvious who they were aiming at,' the former Wales lock John Perkins, now chairman of Pontypool, said. 'In their attempts to get Denis Evans, they've brought down the union - but that's democracy.'

And also a grass-roots uprising. 'The clubs have taken the decision that they, not the committee of the union, are the focus of Welsh rugby,' Griffiths said. 'One of my first tasks will be to get answers to the problems I've identified and brought to the attention of member clubs. My allegations all have to be investigated.'

This scarcely bodes well for Evans, who would make no comment as he hastened from Port Talbot other than that a major press conference would be held within the next few days. Power had already moved inexorably from him to his bitter rival - who, by a delicious irony, is barred by a minute of the old committee from even setting his foot over the threshold of the WRU offices in Cardiff.

Reports, results & tables, page 30